PASCAGOULA, Miss. – The keel for the future USS Sam Nunn (DDG 133), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, was laid during a ceremony on Nov. 22, 2024 at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division.

The ship is named in honor of United States Senator Samuel Augustus Nunn Jr, who represented the state of Georgia served as Chairman of both the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

As the living namesake, Sen. Nunn attended the keel laying ceremony alongside his daughter and ship’s sponsor, Michelle Nunn.

A keel laying ceremony represents the joining together of the ship’s first major modular components at land level. During the ceremony, the keel is authenticated when a welder etches the initials of the ship’s sponsor into the keel plate. In addition to Ms. Nunn’s initials, Sen. Nunn’s initials were also etched into the plate.

“The future USS Sam Nunn and all who sail aboard her will honor the legacy of Sen. Nunn and his dedication to the men and women serving our country,” said Capt. Seth Miller, DDG 51 class program manager, Program Executive Office, Ships (PEO Ships). “DDG 133 will be yet another player on the field providing the most advanced capability to our Navy and the nation."

Article and picture provided by Naval Sea Systems Command